Concrete block machine



March 10, 1942. 1.. GELBMAN Erm.

CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Lows 551.6!10

EUC1ENE F. OLSEN nw-A BY M aRTuuR a. M

I L ATTORNEY.

March 10, 1942. GELBMAN ETAL' 2,275,676

CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT L IS GELBMAN. EUGENE F. oLsi n, AND

. THUR D. MAY :2 E ,4 BY WW1 J I AT NEY March 1942- L. GELBMAN srm. ,6

cONcRE'TE BLOCK MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Origihal Filed Aug. 28, 1937 INVENTORS LOUIS ensrmn.

cm: r. OLSEN, mm

UR a. mus

FF zgn March 10, 1942. GELBMAN ETAL 2,275,676

CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 28, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS l5 LOUIS GELBMAN. 67a. :uezm: n OLSEN, AND

BY ARTHUR AYs Mmh 10, 1942. L GEL AN HAL 2,275,676

CONCRETE BLOCK MACHIN E Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 1 801-8 GEL DNA" n: r. oLsn. AND A nun 5. "A15 A NEY March 10, 1942.

L. GELBMAN ETAL 2,275,676

CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS LOUIS GELBM N BYA THUR 9 HA, 8

ATIClRNEY March 10, 1942.

L. GELBMAN ETAL. 2,275,676

CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS LOUIS GELBMAN,

EUGENE F'- OLSEN, BY ARTHUR a. mAYs AND March 10, 1942. L, GE'LBMAN ETAL "$275,676 H CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Original Filed Aug; 28, 1957 sshjeep -sne z 9" I87 m9 v I I94 3 495 c H-q I96, fi .197

I"? -JE' "1 J INVENTORS Low: snamuv.

EUGENE F.' OLSEN, AND

V An-n-quR a. pans Winn Patented Mar- 10, 1942 UNITED/STATES PATENT. .OFFlCE CONCRETE BLOCK mom V Louis Gelbman, Yonkers, N. Y., and EugeneF. Olsen and Arthur Br Mays, Adrian, Mieln, as-

signors, by mesne assignments, twentieths toflamlln F. Andrus, twentieths to Louis Gelbman, both of Yonkers,

of elevenand nine- Application August as, 1931, Serial-No. $1,370 Renewed April 21, 1989 19 can (or. 25-41) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a method and machine for mak-' ingbuildlng blocks.

The invention proposes a building block machine which packs the mold by' the vibration system. After many years of experimentation and building of devices we have become aware of many deficiencies in theioperation ofbuilding block portion of the mold is free to jiggle, or Jolt or,

move around, and consequently it could not possibly pack as hard as the material within the lower portion ofthe mold which is held firmly by the material above it.

The method we have discovered for eliminating the defect pointed out in the previous para- 1 graph consists essentially in providing a mold of a higher dimension than t t required for the finished block. It is propose to pack material into this mold by the vibrati n method. It, is then proposed that after the mold has been p cked by the vibration method to strike of! the excess material at the top of the mold to insure a commercially uniform amount of material to be in the mold. It is then proposed that pres sure be applied on the material in the top of the mold to compress the upper portion of the material in the mold and make the top portion or the block just as dense as the bottom portion and Just as smooth, and perhaps smoother.

In carrying out the method it is proposed to limit the amount to which the material in the mold may be compressed to make blocks of uniform height. It is proposed to permit compression to a point which corresponds closely with the lowest level to which the packed material will compress by reason of resistance of the material itself.

A further object of this invention resides in constructing a block machine which is capable of carrying out the process heretofore mentioned. v

Still further the invention proposes the construction of a specific type of means for applying the pressure on the material in the top of the mold as the compression of the vibration the construction of r machines workingon the vibration principle, and methods for making years of experimenting packing. It is proposed to. characterize this specific pressure applying means by a pressure head which is adapted to normally be held in a raised position and which is released immediately after the excess material has been struck off the top of the mold so that it comes down to bear on the material in the top portion of the mold. This pressure head may merely supply the required amount o'f pressure. But a preferred arrangement of the invention consists in simultaneously vibrating the mold while the pressure head is in operation so that the vibrations assist the pressure-head in completing the packing of the block. With this arrangement the weight of the pressure head and the amount of pressure necessary to be exerted by it is materially reduced.

Furthermore, the invention contemplates the provision of a stripper mechanism adapted to strip the finished block from the mold, and it is proposed to arrange the stripper mechanism to simultaneously operate a means for lifting the pressure head back to its original position.

Another defect of the vibration type of block machine which we have discovered from our is that the vibrations have a tendency of rattling the machine to pieces. Attempts have been made to insulate the vibrations from destroying the machine but this has proved to be quite a diflicult problem in. actual practice. A method has finally been evolved which has proved satisfactory and this invention contemplates the teaching of this method. This method fact that the vibration unit is set in the foundation of the block machine rather than above the foundation and on a portion of the machine. It is proposed to construct the vibration unit in a particular manner so that vibrations in all directions, except the vertical, are immediately absorbed and dissipated into the foundation, while the vertical vibrations are transmitted upwards by a stiff but relatively flexible member to the mold of the block machine.

Specifically, it is proposed to utilize a pair of flat leaf springs arranged in a particular manner for transmitting the useful vibrations up to the mold.

Furthermore, the invention contemplates supporting the mold in a particular manner to obtain the full effects of the jolting ability of the vibrating unit and at the same time limiting vibrations from reaching other portions of the block machine- With respect to the vibration unit itself it is is characterized by the the-mold.

1 novel. I

j For further comprehension of the invention,

specific principle in converting the rotary vibra tion into a reciprocating vibration in one direc- -tion"or, one plane only, namely, the vertical of The invention still furtherproposes the construction. of' a novel take-off device adapted to remove the block from-the block machine when stripped from the mold.

Specifically, it'is proposed tocohstruct-a take-off device capable of removingiseveral "blocks'iat one time. :..It is proposed to construct the block machine so that it makes'gsay. three'blocks at one time,.an.d it is proposed to arrange the take-olfto accommodate. these three blocks. 7 take-01f resides in the fact that it comprises substantially a U-shaped frame extending around the, front'andthe sides of the mold and that it is slidably supported to be drawn outwards and that, it is provided withfront and rear arms pivotally The dominant feature of the g 7 2,275,676 proposed to use a rotary vibrator and to use a extending pair of small channel members I2 and I3. These channel members I2 and I 3 are adaptchannel' members I6 ed to engage into longitudinallyextending recesses I4 formed'in the. top portion of a concrete foundation I5 for the block machine. At the front thereare a pair of vertical channel members I6 and I! mounted upon the topsides of the members I and II respectively.- The members I6 and I1 arebraced together' at, the top by a channel member I8 secured acrossthe. top ends thereof. 'At a slight distance'from'the top the and I 13' are braced together byua channel member vI9 secured. acrossthe-back mounted in a specific manner and adapted to be I engaged'beneath blocks stripped from the mold ofgthe machine and support these blocks while drawn'out from over the mold. Furthermore, the specific construction and operation of the various parts of the take-01f are also deemed and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a block machine constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine looking from the left hand side.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the machine looking from the right hand side.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the ma-- chine.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, to which a section of the foundation has been added.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the foundation illustrated with the vibration unit mounted thereon.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the corner members used in supporting the mold.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line Ifll0 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line IIII of Fig. 4.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 4.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line I 3I3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of one of the cams shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the take-oil device.

Fig. 16v is a sectional view taken on the line I6I6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. '17 is a sectional view taken on the line I1I'I of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device. ,The block machine according to this invention, and adapted to carry out the method of the invention, includes a frame consisting of a pair of spaced channel member In and II extending from the front of the machine to the rear and held together at the bottom sides by a longitudinally taken sides. From the top portions of the. channel members I6 and I! there extend 'rearwards apa'ir of angle members 20 and II. These angle membersareattached at their front ends to the inner faces of the channel members I6 and I1. .These rearward extending angle. members?!) and 2I are braced by a pair of channelmembers 22 and -=23 attached at their upper ends to the-outer faces of the angle members 20-andi2I-.-respeotively, and extending downwards and an and which has the back-portion of the U-formation secured to the front side of the chute 26 and which the front extremities of its arms secured to the vertical channel members I6 and I1. At the rear side the chute 26 is formed with a hopper shaped member 28 engaged over an opening in the side thereof so that the interior of the chute may be examined and packing up and blocking of the lower portion remedied when: ever required. A feeder drawer 30 is positioned beneath the chute 26 and is slidably supported by a pair of rollers 3| on each side engaging upon tracks 32 and 33 mounted horizontally of the machinebetween the front vertical channel members I6 and I1 and the rear inclined members 22 and 23. These tracks are adapted to support the said drawer 30 sothat it may move forward from its position beneath the chute 26 to a position between the front vertical channel members I6 and I! and above a mold 34 for the concrete blocks to be made by the machine. The feed drawer 30 at its rear is provided with a horizontally extending plate 35 supported by rollers 36 which also engage the tracks 32 and 33. This plate 35 is adapted to close the bottom of the chute 26 when the feed drawer moves to its front position. Rubber strips 26a are attached upon the bottom edge portions of the chute 26 and engage against the top of the feed drawer 30 and the plate 35 to prevent leakage of concrete material between the chute and the feed drawer. Rubber strips 30a are attached along the bottom edge portions-of the feed drawer 30 and abut'the stationary plate 31. When the feed drawer 30 is moved to its front position over the mold 34 these rubber strips 36a engage the top of the mold 34. The strips 30a serve to eliminate or reduce leakage of concrete material between the feed drawer 30 and the stationary plate 31. and

the mold 34/ It is pointed out that the rollers 3| engaging the tracks 32 and 33 serve to support the feed drawer 30 so that its bottom edge does' contact with the top of the v their'lower ends secured upon the top faces ofthe, channel memedge of the feed drawer 34 and the mold 34. Consequently, vibrations from the mold 34 will not be transmitted to the feed drawer 30. Thisis an advantageous construction, for should the vibrations be transmitted, the feed drawer cut off plate 35 would vibrate and would vibrate the thrust bearing holds the shaft 54 from longitudinal motion, but permitsvertical motionand also concrete material in the chute 25. This will cause packing of the concrete in the chute, which is objectionable. The feed drawer30 comprises merely four vertical walls so that it has an open top and an open bottom. A stationary plate .31

is located beneath the open bottom of the feed drawer 3D in the retracted position of the feed upon several bars 4| extending from the front to the rear and adapted to support conventional pallets dropped into the mold during the operation of the blockfmachine. These bars are attached to a base plate 42 which is provided with a pair of transversely spaced and longitudinally extending ribs 43 freely resting upon the tops of four corner members. These corner members are rested upon the ends of two transversely spaced longitudinally extending channel members 45, which. in turn are anchored to a'concrete block 45 insulated from the foundation I5. Interposed between the sides of the concrete block 46 and the foundation I5 there are sheets of resilient material 14' such as sheet rubber or sheet cork, or similar material.

The channel members 45 are arranged so that their top faces are substantially flush with the top face of the foundation l5. Each of the channel members 45 have their flanges reinforced by narrow flange channel members 48 engaged between the edge portions of the flanges thereof and secured thereto. The channel members 45, 48 extend the full width of the block machine between the channel members l and H. The channel members 45,-48"are anchored into the concrete block 45 by anchorage bolts 49 which pass through the arms of the channel members 45, 48 and extend into the block 46 and at their bottom ends are provided with large anchorage heads 50.

Between the channel members 45 the vibration unit is mounted. This vibration unit consists of a pair of spaced bearings and 52 (see Fig."7) vertically slidably mounted between the channel members 45. These channel members are placed with their flanges directed away from each other and with their backs towards each other. It is between the backs of these channel members that the bearings 5| and 52 are arranged. Resilient pads 53 are interposed between the front and rear faces of each bearing and beneath the bottom face of each bearing which is to be separated from the concrete block 45. It should be clear that the bearings 5| and 52 are adapted to slide vertically upwards and downwards and transmit vertical vibrations, but are insulated from vibrations in all other directions. A shaft 55 between which there engages a tongue 56 mounted upon the rear channel member 45. This 1 54 is rotatively mounted in the bearings 5| and l rotation. A pair of ofiset weights 51 are mounted on' the shaft 54. One end of theshaft-"54 ex- .tends from the bearing 52 and is joined by a flange coupling 58 with a motor 59 mounted in a pit 50 formed in the foundation l5. The arrangement is such that when the motor 59 operates the shaft 54 will be rotated'and the offset weights 51 -will tend to cause the shaft 54 to vibrate in a rotary direction. Since the shaft 54 is rotative in the bearings 5| and 52 which are limited to slide only in the vertical direction,

the rotary tendency of vibration will be changed to a reciprocating vibration arranged in the vertical plane. v

Each of the corner support members 44 is of the construction shown in Fig. 8. Essentially, each corner support 44 comprises a vertical trans verse wall 44a from the central portion of which there extends a longitudinally vertical wall 44b. A transversehead portion 440 is disposed on the upper ends of thewalls 44a and 44b. Spaced slightly up from the bottom ends of the walls 44a and 44b there is a transverse partition 44d. 7

The various parts of each of these support members 44 preferably shouldbe integral. Each of the support members 44 are rigidly secured upon the channel members 45 arranged so that the open area between the walls 44a and 44b are disposed outwards. This may be seen by an examination of Fig. '7.

In the space betweenthe walls 44a and 44b the top member 440 andthepartition 44d of each support member 44 is formed with superimposed openings GI and 52. Through each pair of superimposed openings 2. bolt 63 passes; Each of these bolts also extends upwards and through corresponding openings in the base plate 42. The bolts 53 have a pair of lock nuts 54 at their top ends and a similar pair 65 at their bottom ends, and these look nuts are so adjusted so that normally there is a slight space 65 between the bottom pairof nuts 55 and th partitions 44d. This space 56 controls the amplitude of vibration of the mold 34. If desired this space may be inof the mold. The downward motion is arrested when the ribs 43 strike the head portions 440 of the support members 44.

The mold 34 is a multiple mold arranged to make three blocks at a time. The mold is so arranged. that these blocks will be positioned with the long sides extending from the front to the back of the machine.

The vibration unit is connected to th mold support plate 42 in the following manner: There are a pair of vertical rods 51, the bottom ends 51a of which are screwed into threaded openings in the tops of the bearings 5| and 52. The upper ends are rigidly attached by bolts 63 to the plate 42., The rods 61 are made from top and bottom sections 51b and 510. respectively, Flat, relatively stiff leaf springs 59 are welded between the inner ends of the sections 51b and 510. These flat leaf springs are arranged with the broad sides thusfto the mold 34 which is directly attached on the plate 42.

Above the mold 34 there is a pressure head. This pressure head comprises a carriage I extended between the vertical channel members I6 and I1 and slidably connected therewith by rollers 'II These rollers II engage the front and rear faces of each of the channel members I6 and are mounted on brackets 12 which in turn are mounted on the carriage 10. A plate 13 is attached to the bottom of the carriage I0 and this plate is shaped and cut out so as to fit into the top of the mold, for example, as shown in Fig. 6. The plate I3 is supported by the carriage I0 by several transverse bars 14. A rod 15 is attached to the carriage at its top and extends upwards through a bearing I6 mounted upon the channel member I8 which is supported across the channel members I6 and I1. This rod 15 assists in guiding the pressure head. Furthermore, a collar I1 is mounted on the rod I5 and is cooperative with a catch device for holding the pressure head in its raised position. This catch device comprises a bolt I8 slidably supported by bearings 79 and 80 mounted on the front face of the channel member I9. A collar BI is mounted on a bolt I8. A spring 82 acts between the collar 8| and one of the bearings, the bearing I9, for normally urging the bolt I8 into operative position. The front end of the bolt I8 is provided with a bevel edge 18a which is adapted to force the bolt inwards as the pressure head is raised and the collar 11 engages against it. But once the collar passes the bolt moves forwards and engages beneath the collar and so supports the pressure head in itsraised position. The

rear end of the bolt I8 extends through an opening in the channel member I6 and this end is provided with a head 83. A radial finger 84 engages beneath this head and is mounted upon a vertical rod 85 which is turnably supported by I bearings 86 and 81 mounted on the channel member I6. A radial finger 88 is mounted on the rod 85 and has a longitudinally directed portion 88a formed with. a front beveled edge 89. This finger 88a is cooperative with a pivotally mounted pintle 90 mounted on the feed drawer. i

The bolt 90 is pivotally supported intermediate of its ends by a pivot 9I. A spring 92 acts between the inner end of the bolt 90 and a bracket 93 mounted on the edge portion of the .feed drawer 30. A block 94 is arranged adjacent the rear portion of the bolt 90 to limit pivoting in one direction only. The bolt may pivot as indicated by the dot'and dash lines 90a in Fig. 9 The bolt 90 has a cam front end 9022 adapted to cooperate with the cam end 89 of the arm 88a. The arrangement is such that when the feed drawer moves forwards the bolt 90 strikes the finger 88a and the bolt merely is pivoted to the dot and dash line position. Nothing happens except that the bolt is immediately urged back to its original po-.

sition while the feed drawer is in its extended position. When the feed drawer moves back to its rear position, as hereinafter more fully described, the bolt 90 will again strike the finger 88a, but this time the cam surfaces 90b and 89 engage each other and this time the arm 88 will be pivoted to the dot and dash line position 881). This pivoting of the arm turns the rod 85 and the peg 84 slightly pulls out the bolt 18 which releases the collar 11 and permits the pressure head to fall downwards upon the material in the mold.

inclinations rearwards.

Beneath the mold 34 there is a stripper device which consists of a bar 96 extending longitudinally of the machine and having its ends slidably engaging into a vertical opening or track 91 formed in the channel members I0'and I I and continuing up into the channel members I6 and IT. This bar 96 is therefore limited to vertical sliding. This bar 96 in its lowered position normally rests upon a pair of spaced bars 98 which rest on the top of the foundation I5. Supported on the bar 96 there are a plurality of transverse bars 99 held by U-shaped holding bolts I00. On the bars 99 there are supported a plurality of stripper bars IOI. These stripper ,bars IOI are arranged vertically thereof and are adapted to extend upwards against the pallet in the mold 34 for stripping the concrete block from the mold as hereinafter more fully described. Also on the' bar 96 there are a pair of bars I02 arranged near the ends thereof and which are slightly longer than the stripper bar IOI. These bars I02 extend upwards along the outer sides of the mold 34 and are adapted to strike against bosses I03 formed on the carriag 10 of the pressure head. These bars I02 are adapted to lift the pressure head back into its raised position when the blocks are stripped from the mold as hereinafter more fully described.

A mechanism is provided for operating the feed drawer and the stripper device in proper sequence for making the blocks. This mechanism is controlled by a handle I04 arranged on the front of. the machine where the operator is capable of operating it. The handle I04 s mounted on a shaft I05 rotatively supported in bearings I06 mounted on the channel member I1. The inner end of the shaft I05 is provided with a sprocket I 01 engaged by a chain I08 which extends downwards and engages a sprocket I09 on a horizontal shaft IIO extending parallel to and mounted on the channel member II by a pair of spaced bearings III and H2. Mounted on this shaft IIO there are a pair of cams H3 and H3. These cams are of identical construction except that they are placed in a different relative position on the shaft IIO. They are placed so that the projecting portions II3a are from each other. Each of the cams may be understood from a close inspection of Fig. 14. Each cam has the projecting portion I Illa diametrically 0pposite to which there is a recessed portion II3b and at right angles between the raised and recessed portions there are level portions I I3c and M.

A pair of collars H5 and H6 are rotatively mounted on the shaft H0 and pivotally mounted on these collars there are the arms II! and I I8. These arms are arranged immediately adjacent the cams H3 and I I3". The lower ends of these arms are provided with forked portions Illa and IIBa respectively, which engage a track I20 mounted between and upon the channel members I2 and I3. The forked ends of the arms and the track I20 serve to limit the arms H1 and I I8 from rotating and limit them to pivoting in a vertical plane as controlled by the cams H3 and 3''. These cams are adapted to pivot each arm to three possible positions. These positions are indicated in Fig. 4. They comprise a truly vertical position, a position extended at an inclination forward, and one extended at an .Since the cams I I3 and H3" are set apart 90 the arms II! and [I8 will be in different positions. There are four posends of these radial on a bracket I24. This bracket I24 is on a segmental gear I25 which in turn is loosely mounted on a shaft I26. The shaft I26 is mounted in bearings I21 mounted on the channel members I6 and II. Consequently, the shaft I26 extends between or across these channel members I6 and On the outer end of the shaft I26 there is.

H. an arm I26 which issecured to the shaft I26 by a key I26; This arm I26 extends towards the dog I2I and its outer end portion is formed with niches I26a in the diametrically opposite sides thereof arranged to be engageable by theend portions of the( dog I2I.' The'dog I2I has its end portions formed with an inward directed tooth on each end thereof. These inward directed teeth are adapted to engage the niches I26a when the dog is in proper position.

The dog I2I is fixed on the pintle I23 which is rotatively mounted through the bracket I24 and also through the segmental gear I25. n the inner end the'pin I23 has a radial arm I26 from which a pin I36 projects. An expansion spring I3I connects with this pin and with another pin I32 mounted on the segmental gear I25 but closer to the centerthereof. adapted to assume two possible positions; one position with one end tilted upwards, and another position with this end tilted downwards. These positions are controlled by the dog striking the edge portions of the bracket I24. These positions are held'by the spring I3I-. The holding is accomplished by reason of the radial arm I29. This radial arm is adapted to pass the dead center of possible motion of the dog. When past the dead center to one side, the dog is held in one position. When past the dead center on the other side the dog is held in the other position. The dot and dash lines I2I in Fig. 12 indicate the second position of the dog; while the full lines indicate the'other position.

The segmental gear I25 at one with a pintle I35 which pivotally supports one end of a brace I36. This brace is connected with an adjustment boltbracket I36 mounted by a pintle I I36 pivotally and eccentrical upon a gear ported on a shaft MI. in bearings I42 mounted on the inner faces of thevertical channel members I6 and I1. The gear I46 meshes with another gear I43 on a shaft I44 rotatively supported in bearings 645 mounted on the top faces of the angle members 2I and 22. The other end of the shaft I44 is provided with a large pulley I46. An endless belt I41 engages over this pulley and over a pulley I46 on an electric motor I46. This electric motor is supported upon a pair of spaced angle members I66 which are attached across the channel members 22 and 26. Thus it will be seen that when the motor I46 rotates the rotations will be transmitted indirectly to first reciprocate the brace I36 and then to oscillate the segmental gear I25. 'But since: this segmental gear is free on the shaft I26 the oscillation will not be transmitted to the shaft.

Immediately adjacent the inner'faces of' the bearings I21 there are a pair of radial arms I'5I fixedly mounted on theshaft I26. The outer arms are connected by pin- I31 which connects with av that when the radial.

ties I52 to Lshaped arms I53. These L-shaped arms have their short arms extending substantially parallel to the radial arms 'I6I and have their long arms, extending forwards and con-- nected by pintles I54 to the front portions of the said drawer 36. The arrangement is such arms I5I are turned through approximately 90 the arms I53 will move the feed drawer 36 forwards. Conversely. when the arms I5I are turned back to their ori inal position thefeed drawer 36 will be moved rearwardsback to its original position.

The dog I22 is mounted upon a bracket I24 identical to the bracket I24. This bracket I24 is mounted on a segmental gear I 55 whichis loosely mounted on a shaft I56. This shaft I56 is mounted in bearings I51 and I56 mounted Y on the channel members II and I6 respectively. A radial arm I26 is keyed to the outer end of the shaft I56 and this radial armis provided withniches-I26aa upon opposite sides similar to The dog I2I is end is provided with very similar to the dog I2I.

the niches I26a. The dog I22 is fixedly mounted. on a pintle I23 which pivotally extends through the segmental gear I55 and which on its inner a radial arm I26f connected with an expansion spring I 3I' supported atits other end ona pin .I 32 mounted on the segmental gear I55. The arrangement of the dog I22 is Thatis,'it may pivot to 2 positions, one of the positions shown in full lines in Fig. 12- and the other'shown by the dot and dash lines. It'will maintaineither of these positions because of the action of the'spring III.

A pair of cams I5! is mounted atrtwo locations on the shaft.l56 and cooperate withrollers I66 which are mounted on a connecting rod I". This connecting rod connects together intermediate points of a pair of arms I62. Each of these arms I62 extend along the inner faces oi'the channels I6, II. The rear ends of the arms I62 are connected with a shaft I63 which is turn-' ably supported in bearings I64 mounted upon the rear portions of the channel members I6 side is provided I46 which is sup This shaft is supported:

and II. Intermediate of their ends the arms I62 are reinforced with braces I62 which are merely additional arm sections welded or in any'other manner secured to the arms I62. The purpose r of these braces is merely to reinforce and stiffen the arms. The front ends of the arms I62 are formed with forked portions I62a which engage rod portions I65 mounted on the bar 66. The arrangement is such that when the cams I56 turn through 96", as indicated by the dot and dash lines in 6. the arms I62 will be pivoted tocause the front ends of the arms to raise the bar 66 and so indirectly raise the stripper mechanism which is mounted on this bar.

In order to hold the stripper mechanism raised a brake mechanism is associated with the shaft I56. This brake mechanism comprisesa brake body I66 mounted on the shaft I56. and

, engaged by a brake shoe I61 which is mounted turning. Thisis end is supported upon the channel II.

I12 mounted on the shaft H6 and engaged by a This flexible rod at its inner Interis urged downwards by a y flexible rod I16.

mediate of its ends it a bracket I15 mounted nel members faces'of the side arms and are pivotally connected therewith by pintles are connected together by completely extends over the connected between spring "4 which at its lower end is connected to the channel II; The action of the spring I14 is to holdthe block "2 against rotation. Since the block has four sides it will serve to hold the shaft H in the four positions in which it is turned as hereinafter more-fully described.

The block take-oil? mechanism for the machine is as follows: There I which is provided with rollers I8I'upon its sides and these rollers engage upon tracks I82 which are arranged directly beneath the tracks 32 and 83 and which are also mounted upon the chan- I6 and I1. These tracks I82 extend forward from the front of the machine so that the frame I80 may be drawn outwards from its in position around the mold. The frame I80 is adapted toextend across the front of the mold and across the two sides. theframe I80'will be connected with the feed drawer by reason of a pair of arms I 88.. These arms at their inner ends are formed with cut outs I81 forming a hook adapted to hook on to the I pegs I88 mounted upon lugs projecting fromthe feed. drawer 30. The inner I are formed with, cam surfaces I89 which are adapted. to automatically cause the engagement of the pegs I "with the cutouts I 81 as herein after more fully described.

.-The arms I86 extend parallel along the sinner of the U-shaped frame I80 I90. The front ends of the arms I86 extend out throughslots I9 I in the front of the U-shaped frame I80. The-extended'ends of the armsI86 arrangement is such that the handle bar I92 may be'manipulated to disengage the arms I86 fromthe pegs I88 and may also be used as a handle U-shaped frame I 80.

cross between' the side arms of the U-shaped their lower'endsare pivotally connected by .pintles I94 mounted on lugs attached 'to the bottom sides of thejframe'l80'. The rear arm 194 is also of U-shape andalso hasits side arms extending downwards and are pivotally attached by pintles I95 to lugs also mounted on the side arms of the U-shaped frame each of the arms I 93 and I94, the right hand ends as illustrated 'in'Fig; 15; have fingers I96 and I9! respectively extended towards each other. The finger I96 has an overhanging tip I98 which end of the finger I91. is urged upwardsby a spring I98 it and the side arm of the frame l80. The action of the spring I98 is restrained by the fact that a portion of the arm I93-abuts against an is mounted-on a lug I85 mounted on the frame I80. This adjustment screw may be adjusted to hold the arms I93 and I94 in their correct normal positions.

The finger l 91 The finger I96 has a front extension I96a. This on the bottom flange of endsof thearms I06 a handle bar.| 92.' The is a'U-shaped frame I80 205 which entersa control stripped f om the block machine.

The ele Fig. 18.

beneath 131613341683 of blocks which have been There is. a three-line source'of power handle 201 bywhich a three pole switch may be openedand closed. In each line there is-a fuse switch box 2I0 which has a three pole switch 2 The three lines continue to a magnetic adapted to be closed by a solenoid 2I2. This "switch is normally urged open by a spring 2I3 'a circuit which connects and when the solenoid is energized will close. This switch 2' controls the electric motor 59 which operates the vibrator unit of the device. The solenoid 2I2 is connected with a time switch box 2I4. More specifically, the solenoid 2I2 is in a time switch 2I5 in series with a holding solenoid 2I6 of a mercury At the inward position v I is urgedinto an open position by a spring 2I8.

controlswitch 2| 1 cult of the solenoid arranged to control the cir- 2I2. The mercury switch 2I'I It is adapted to be closed by the solenoid 2I6. The control solenoid 2I6is in circuit with a hand operated switch; 2I9-w'hich is arranged in a box 220 mounted on the front of the-block'machine, preferably immediately adjacent the 'control handle I04. The wiring may readily be followed. The arrangementv all times. To operate" the vibrator of the block machine'the switch, H9 is just momentarily closed by touching it. This will close the circuit.

through the solenoid 2I6 which immediately becomes energized to closet he mercury ,switch 2I1.

'When the mercury switch closes a holding circuit through the solenoid 2| 6 isalso closed so that the mercury switch 2II remains closed even I80. One-of the ends of i adjustment screw I84 which throughthe solenoid the motor-circuit and sired times.

tho'ughthe hand switch 2I9 is immediately released and-opensL, Q y v When the switch 2II is closed the circuit 2I2 is closedand the switch solenoid which then closes the motor 59 operates. The motor 59' will continuevto .operate until thetime switch 2I5 opens It may be set for variousde- 2I I is closed by the operation, is five seconds. circuit is broken by the switch 2I5.

mediately breaks the holding circuit of noid 2I6 and then This imthe solethe spring 2 I8 immediately 8 opens the switch 2I1. The circuit is thus broken through the solenoid 2 I 2 and the spring 2I3 opens the switch 2I I. The parts are now in their original positions and the cycle. is ready to be repeated.

The operation of the device is as follows: The normal position of the device is one in which the feed drawer 30 is in the retracted posi-.

tion as shown in Fig.4., The pressure head I0, II I2, etc., is in the raised position and held raised by the bolt .18. The stripper device 98, I 0|, etc.,

is in the, lowered position. The take-off frame;

trical wiring of the device is shown in box 206 which has a consists in the fact that nor mally the switches2I I, 2 I1 and 2I9 are open. Of. course, the control switch 201 must beclosed at A desirable time, according to the particular design of the machinewhich is now in- After this period the lets be dropped into the mold. Then the opera ator turns the handle I04 through 90". This 90 rotation is transmittedby the shaft I05, the sprocket I01, the chain. I00, the sprocket I09 to the shaft Ill. The shaft H is turned 90 and held in this new turned position by the square the resilient leaf I13 engaged the shaft I'I0 was turned through 90 the cams II! and H3" correspondingly turned. This immediately pivoted the arms so that the vertical arm I" now has its top end leaning rearwards to the right, while the arm I I0 is now in the ver tical position; The arms will be in the vertical position when the straight portions I I30 and "3d of the cams are at the top and at the bottom. Each arm will lean one way when the projecting portion II3a is at the bottom, and lean the other way when it is at the top. I

rectly Y ws the bolt I8 from the collar 11 and the pre ure head drops downwards; The operator th again closes the switch 2I9, and for five seconds or other period of time (as the time switchis set) the vibrator will operate.

An important feature of the machine must now be clearly understood. When the feed drawer moved back to its original position it struck off all excess material from the top of the mold. A quantity of material to make a commercially desirable block was now left in the mold, but the top of this block was not packed sufficiently. The mold is so designed that it is higher than the required height of the block. Now when the pressure head falls down and vibrations continue, the top of the block will be packed and smoothed out and thus completed.

This is a very important feature of the opera- In the new position of the arms Ill and H8 I the top end of the arm I I1 will strike against the dog I2I ,the next time the segmental gear I turnsclockwise, This will pivot the dog I2I and catch the radial arm I 28a, and then as the seg-' mentaLgear I25 turns anti-clockwise the radial arm I20a will be turned anti-clockwise and so turn the shaft I28 anti-clockwise through approximately 90. Thereafter the dog I2I will not touch the radial arm and the segmental gear I25 will continue oscillating withoiit doing anything.

When the shaft I25 turned 90 it moved the radial arm I5I and the connecting arms I53 forwards and so moves the feed drawer 30 forwards to a position over the mold. As soon as the handle I04 was turned through the 90 the operator also is required to close the switch 2I9 which will set the vibrator into motion. As the feed drawer advances, or during a. portion of the time that it advances, or after it has reached its position over the mold, depending merely on the adjustment of the machine, the vibrator will be operating. When the vibrator operates the motor 59 rotates driving the shaft 54 and causing vertical jolts to be transmitted by the bearings 5I and 52 through the medium of the rods 6'! to the mold.

Concrete or the like material from the chute 26 which was deposited in the feed drawer was thus moved over the mold and packed into the mold by the vibrations of the mold. After the vibrator ceases because of the operation of the switch 2I5, the operator turns the handle I04 through another 90. This will indirectly cause the shaft III) to turn another 90 and will cause clockwise will turn the arm l28a back to its original position. This indirectly moves the feed drawer 30 back to its position beneath the chute 20.

As the feed drawer moves back to its original position beneath the chute, at the moment that it is completely back, the bolt 90 will trip the radial arm 88 and turn the rod 85 which inditil) their inward position.

tion of the machine. The pressure head is limited in its downward motion by the bosses I01 striking the tops of the rods I02. These rods may be adjusted to a position so that the pressure head sinks a predetermined amount into the mold and so forms blocks of universal height. The operator then turns the handle I 04 another 90 and this indirectly turns the shaft 0 90. This indirectly causes the arms In and H8 to shift so that the arm I I1 is now leaning forward, its front end towards the left in Fig. 4, and so that the arm H0 is in the vertical position. This is the full line position shown in Fig. 4.

In this position the lower end of the arm I" will strike the dog I22 the next time that the segmental gear I55 moves to its complete anticlockwise position. This pivots'the dog I22 and then when the segmental gear I55 turns clockwise the dog I22 engages the arm I28 and turns the shaft I56 90 clockwise. This moves the cams I59 to their vertical positions lifting the rollers I60 and thus pivoting the levers I62. The front ends of the levers I62 move upwards and so move upward the stripper mechanism. As the stripper mechanism moves upwards the bars I02 will lift the pressure head back to its original position where it will be immediately caught and held by the operation of the bolt 18. Furthermore, the rods. IOI will engage against the pallets and strip the blocks from the mold so that the pallets and the blocks are now held a short position above the top of the mold. At this instant the spring 200 will strike the finger extension I46a and cause the arms I93 and I94 to pivot together and beneath the edges of the pallets which are being supported above the mold.

The operator now turns the handle I04 another 90 back to its original position. This immediately indirectly moves the arms III and H0 so that the arm I" is vertical and the arm II8 has its bottom end directed towards the front of the machine, that is, the left in Fig. 4. The lower end of the arm 0 adjusts the dog I22 which in turn then engages the radial arm I28 and when the segmental gear I25 turns anti-clockwise will turn the shaft I56. As soon as the shaft I56 starts turning, which of course starts lowering the stripping mechanism, the pallets supporting the blocks will rest heavily on the arms I93 and I94 and so hold them in Then as the stripper mechanism'descends, even though the spring 200 disengages from the finger extension I96a, the arms I 93 and I84 will continue to support the stripped block. The operator then unhooks the take-off frame I by pulling upwards on the bar I92 which pivots the rear ends of the arms block when the feed drawer moves over the mold and so idle past said operator, and

over said mold being adapted to idle past said operator finger and when said feed drawer moves off said mold being adapted to engage said operatorfinger and cause the pressure head to drop upon the material in the mold, said bolt being pivotally mounted, a block mounted on said mold limiting pivoting of the bolt in one direction, resilient means for holding the bolt against the block whereby the bolt may pivot away from the to a position when the feed drawer moves over the mold the bolt strikes the block and so is restrained from moving causing the operator finger to be moved.

9. In a building block machine, a mold, a feed drawer for supplying an excess amount of mate'- rial to said mold when moved over the mold, means for moving said ieed mold, means for moving saidfeed drawer off said mold, means for vibrating said mold to pack concrete or the like material into said mold, a pressure head for resting on mold to pack the top portion of said material in the mold and normally supported above said mold, means for dropping said pressure head upon the material on the mold controlled with an operator finger, a bolt movably mounted on said feed drawer and when said feed drawer moves over said mold being adapted to idle past said operator finger and when said feed drawer moves off said mold being adaptedto engage said operator finger and cause the pressure head to drop upon the material in the mold, said means for dropping the pressure head comprising,

' means for vertically slidably supporting the pressure head, a keeper connected with the pressure head, a bolt engaging the the pressure head, and means for pulling out said bolt controlled by said operator finger.

10. In a building block machine, a mold, a feed drawer for supplying an excess amount of material to said mold 'when moved over the mold, means for moving said feed drawer over said drawer over said keeper for supporting the material in said I concrete% or the like material into said mold, a pressurehead for resting on the material in said mold tolpack the top portion of said material in the mold and normally supported above said mold, means for dropping said pressure head upon the material on) the mold controlled with an operator, finger, a bolt movably mounted on said feed drawer and when said feed drawer moves over said mold being adapted to idle pastv said operator finger and when said feed drawer moves off said mold being adapted to engage said operator finger and cause the pressure head to drop upon the material in the mold, said means for dropping the pressure head comprising means for vertically slidably supporting the pressure head, a keeper connected with. the pressure head, a bolt engaging the keeper for supporting the pressure head, and means for pulling out said bolt controlled by said operator finger, comprising resilient means urging thebolt'into operative position, a head on said bolt, a rotative rod, a radial finger projecting from said rod and engaging said head, and said operator finger being mounted upon said rod, said bolt having a pivoted front end adapted to coact with said collar to cause the bolt to be moved when the pressure head is lifted back to its raised position so that the bolt engages beneath the collar to again hold the pressure head raised, and means for liftmold, means for moving said feed drawer off said mold, means for vibrating said mold to pack concrete or the like material into said mold, a pressure head for resting on the material in said mold to pack the top portion of said material in the mold and normally supported above said mold, means for dropping said pressure head upon the material on the mold controlled with an operator finger, a bolt movably mountedon said feed drawer and when said feed drawer' moves over said mold being adapted to idle past said operator finger and when said feed drawer moves off said mold'being adapted to engage said operator finger and cause the pressure head to drop upon the material in the mold, said means for dropping 'the pressure head comprising means for vertically slidably supporting the pressure head. a keeper connected with the pressure head, a bolt engaging the keeper for supporting the pressure ing out said bolt controlled by said operator finger, comprising resilient means urging the bolt into operative position, a head on said bolt, a rotative rod, a radial finger projecting from said rod and engaging said head, and said operator finger being mounted upon said rod.

11. In a building block machine, a mold, a feed drawer for supplying an excess amount of material to said mold when moved over the mold, means for 'moving said feed drawer over said mold, means for moving said feed drawer off said mold, means for vibrating said mold to pack head, and means for pull- 7,

ing said pressure head.

12. In a building block machine, a mold, a

feed drawer for supplying an excess amount of material to said mold when moved over the mold, means for moving said feed drawer over said mold, means for moving said feed drawer of! said mold, means for vibrating said mold to pack concrete or the like material into said mold, apressure head for resting on the material in said mold to pack the top portion of said material in the mold and normally supported above said mold, means for dropping said pressure head upon the material on the mold controlled with an operator finger, a bolt movably mounted on said feed, drawer and when said feed drawer moves over said mold being adapted to idle past said operator finger and when said feed drawer moves off said mold being adapted to engage said operator finger and cause the pressure head to drop upon the material in the mold, said means for dropping the pressure head comprising means for vertically slidably supporting the pressure head, a keeper connected with the pressure head, a bolt engaging the keeper for supporting the pressure head, and means for pulling out said bolt controlled by said operator finger, comprising resilient means urging the bolt into operative ,position, a head on said bolt, a rotative rod, a radial finger projecting from said rod and engaging said head, and said operator finger being mounted upon said rod, said bolt having apivoted front end adapted to coast with said collar to cause the bolt to be moved when the pressure head is lifted back to its raised position so that the bolt engages beneath the collar to again hold the pressure head raised, and means for lifting said pressure head, comprising stripper mechanism for ejecting a block from said mold, and rods mounted on said stripper mechanism and adapted to lift said pressure head, and acting as stops to limit downward motion of the presout from around said mold," a front and a rear arm pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to extend beneath said block when stripped from said mold, and means for urging said arms into operative positions after said block has been stripped from said mold, stationary tracks mounted on the sides of said block machine and rollers mounted on the sides of said frame and engaging said tracks and comprising the means for slidably supporting said frame.

14. In a building block machine, a mold, means for stripping a block from said mold, a U-shaped frame extending around the front and sides of said mold and slidably supported to be drawn out from around said mold, a front and a rear arm pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to extend beneath said block when stripped from said mold, and means for urging said arms into operative positions after said block has been stripped from said mold, said arms being of inverted U-shape having their top ends extending transversely of the mold from side to side.

15. In a building block machine, a mold, means for stripping a block from said mold, a U-shaped frame extending around the front and sides of said mold and slidably supported to be drawn out from around said mold, a front and a rear arm pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to extend beneath said block when stripped from said mold, and means for urging said arms into operative positions after said block has been stripped from said mold, said arms being of in verted U-shape having their top ends extending transversely of the. mold from side to side, and having their sides pivotally mounted upon the sides of said U-shaped frame.

16. In a building block machine, a mold, means for stripping a block from said mold, a U-shaped frame extending around the front and sides of said mold and slidably supported to be drawn out from around said mold, a front and a rear arm pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to extend beneath said block when stripped from said mold, and means for urging said arms into operative positions after said block has been stripped from said mold, said arms being of inverted U-shape having their top ends extending transversely of the mold from side to side, and having their sides pivotally mounted upon the sides of said U-shaped frame, fingers upon the sides of said arms and the fingers on the same sides of the front and rear arms extends toward each other and having overhanging tips whereby when one finger is moved it automatically moves the other finger and so causes the front and rear arms to move in unison.

17. In a building block machine, a mold, means forstripping a block from said mold, a U-shaped frame extending around the front and sides of said mold and slidably supported to be drawn out from around said mold, a front and a rear arm pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to extend beneath said block when stripped from said mold, and means for urging said arms into operative positions after said block has been stripped from said mold, said arms being of inverted U-shape having their top ends extending transversely of the mold from side to side, and having their sides pivotally mounted upon the sides of said .U-shaped frame, fingers upon the sides of said arms and the fingers on the same sides of the front and rear arms extend towards each other and having overhanging tips whereby when one finger is moved it automatically moves the other finger and so causes the front and rear arms to move in unison, a spring for urging the fingers in one direction, and an adjustable stop for limiting the action of said spring.

18. In a building block machine, a mold, means for stripping a block from said mold, a U-shaped frame extending around the front and sides of said mold and slidably supported to be drawn out from around said mold, a front and a.rear arm pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to extend beneath said block when stripped from said mold, and means for urging said arms into operative positions after said block has been stripped from said mold, said arms being of inverted U-shape having their top ends extending transversely of the mold from side to side, and having their sides pivotally mounted upon the sides of said U-shaped frame, fingers upon the sides of said arms and the fingers on the same sides of the front and rear arms extend towards each other and having overhanging tips whereby when one finger is moved it automatically moves the other finger and so causes the front and rear arms to move in unison, a spring for urging the fingers in one direction, and an adjustable stop for limiting the action of said spring, one of said fingers having an extension, a vertical rod on said means for stripping the block, a spring on the top of said rod and engageable with said fingers extends to operate the front and rear arms.

19. In a building block machine, a mold, means for stripping a block from said mold, a U-shaped frame extending around the front and sides of said mold and slidably supported to be drawn out from said mold, a front and a rear arm pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to extend beneath said block when stripped from said mold, means for urging said arms into position after said block has been stripped from said-mold, a feed drawer for supplying material to said mold, and a catch device operative on said feed drawer and said U-shaped frame to connect these parts and pick up the U-shaped frame in extended position thereon and draw it back to a position around said mold, comprising a member having a front bar section and side arms pivotally mounted on the side arms of said U-shaped frame, hooks upon the side arms of said catch device, and elements on he feed drawer engageable with said hooks.

LOUIS GELBMAN. EUGENE F. OLSEN. ARTHUR B. MAYS. 

